oldgit

I was there at Stamford Bridge in 1955, when Roy Bentley lifted the trophy and Ted Drake was manager. From then until Ken Bates took over, the club was being run by a bunch of clowns, only interested in selling talented youngsters ( Mears should have been locked up for selling Jimmy Greaves to AC Milan) and keeping has- beens.

An interesting appointment of Paul Winstanley, formerly head of recruitment at Brighton, now to be our head of global recruitment. His record of digging out diamonds from the rough whilst at Brighton, is exemplary so, does this mean a change in our transfer policy of paying big money for the obvious? I think it does. I think this is why Boehly got rid of Tuchel, because he would have demanded to recruit the expensive, names up in lights types, and went for Potter and his staff who, as previous experience shows, are willing to put in the hard graft and not spend their time browsing Youtube.

Lionel Messi, 35 year old tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia, defied his age to put in a five star performance for them against Argentina yesterday.

An annoying game to watch. We worked hard and so did they, but the quality of football provided was poor. Non existent control of the ball from some so called international players on both sides. No doubt in my mind that our confidence is at its lowest. Many of the players were diabolically negative, seeking the safety of Thiago, Koulibally or Jorginho to bail them out instead of getting the ball forward. Why Dennis Z didn't come on was a mystery. We desperately needed pace and control in midfield which he would have provided. Broja worked hard against their twin centre backs but he sometimes looks a bit forlorn at times. He's a worrier and needs confidence to be at his best. This World Cup break is a godsend for us because some of the players look washed out. Of course, some vitally important players will be back in time for the restart (touch wood). It will also give Potter time to reflect on his mistakes and also putting his trust in some that didn't deserve it.

What was I saying about morons?

Loads of Geordie fans are talking of European football now, so the onus will be on them to be on the front foot and control the game, especially at home with the crowd screaming in their ears. That could suit us to hit them on the counter. I would drop Sterling and play Cucerella further forward with a back three of Thiago, Koulibally and Azpilicueta. Solid defence but quick players on the counter.

Yeah, my brother thinks the same as you Keith. Potter is under orders from the hierarchy to play certain players at all costs, one of which is Sterling who, when the second goal went in, was caught on camera giggling and laughing with De Bruyne. The c**8 looks like he's on holiday here as does Aubangtheman. Other than a couple of cameos, Pulisic hasn't had a good 90 minutes in two years, but still he gets to play more than he should. Cucerella must be fair game for the morons because of his hair. His Brighton game was a horror show but, since then I've found nothing wrong with his performances but still, they dig him out. Koulibally would be in my side, week in week out. The man is a competitor and never gives up.

We need a player in midfield that can pick a pass Keith. You look at all the front runners in the Premier League, they've all got a so called 'midfield general' who pulls the strings. Unless there's a player lurking in the reserves or on the bench, we don't. Reece is definitely capable if let loose in that role. Loftus- Cheek and Sterling were both guilty more than once, of getting caught in possession by dwelling on the ball or trying to run with it. A deft pass to a runner would cut out all that nonsense, but we don't have such a player...do we?

I can have no real complaints with the result, although the defending for their goal was bordering on amateurish. Defensively, I thought we were generally solid with Cucerella restricting Saka's contribution and Azpilicueta also tigerish in the tackle on Martinelli. It took a while for Sterling to get to grips with the art of 'doubling up', but he got there in the end. Aubameyang couldn't get into the game at all and was anonymous, probably because our midfield was second best and couldn't provide him with the service. Saying that, he still doesn't work hard enough for me. Mason put himself about and Havertz had a couple of chances but wasted them. That was the problem throughout the game. It was all about stopping them instead of being proactive ourselves. Overall, we are missing key players in Kante, James and Fofana and the players who are in for them are not up to their standard.

Yeah, I saw that Keith. I thought it was someone else! My hope is that, as he left Highbury under a bit of a cloud, he will want to prove a point.

I would guess a back three of Thiago, Chalobah and Koulibaly. Some pace and grit there. Azpilicueta wide right and Cucerella wide left. I thought Loftus -Cheek was appalling against Brighton in the first half. Statuesque and played in a trance so can't be trusted in the holding midfield role. Can he be trusted however, at right wing back? Get that man Dennis Z in midfield with Kova! Or, if Kova's not fit, Jorginho and Zakaria. I suppose we'll be starting with Aubameyang but, if I see him winking and high fiving his old team mates in the tunnel, the right boot will be poised to smash the TV in the general direction of his testicles.

Banana flavour and as I don't like bananas, you can guess what I thought of it. I only saw the highlights of the game last night and thought it was weak defending that led to their goal. We need to be far more resilient and sturdy against the <deleted>' or their attack will have a field day. Let 'em know that we mean business and get stuck in early.

I agree Keith. Far more energy from Broja when he came on and too late for Pulisic to make a real impact. I'm rapidly losing patience with Auba.

Blimey! Forgot about Remy. That was one big struggle from start to finish yesterday. Not surprising considering our two best players are missing. You can't replace world class players like Reece and Kante overnight. I saw the starting line up and wasn't impressed. Not enough pace in midfield and on the flanks, which United exploited time after time, until Graham P brought on Kova on the half hour mark. Why put Cucerella as a defensive wing back and Chilwell as the attacker, who couldn't run past me, let alone their full back? At the start, I would have switched them. Cucerella is far better further up the pitch. Kepa in top form again to keep them at bay.

Brentford are a difficult nut to crack at home so, a good point to gain. I agree that Broja was good but I also thought Pulisic looked very lively when he came on. Long may that continue because, on his best form, he takes the p**s out of defenders. Yes Keith, I was impressed with Chuka. He reminds me of another Loftus -Cheek in his movement and trickery.

I'd prefer Broja over Aubameyang any day of the week. He works hard, puts defenders under pressure and is beginning to find the back of the net. The other bloke is a 'fairground' player. When it suits him, he'll turn somersaults but bread and butter games? Let someone else put in a shift. A lazy b*****d who's obviously talented but who's work rate is zero. Sterling is beginning to annoy me as well Keith. I thought the best game he's had with us was the first one! He's definitely no Reece James! It's a mystery where his blinding pace has gone. Something we can ill afford with a few slow coaches in the team. I'd like to see Dennis Zakaria play. Stick him in midfield with Gallagher and Ruben dropping off to link up with the centre backs. What's your take on the Kante saga? I can't believe he's asking for more money than Chelsea are willing to give. The man drives a Mini Cooper <deleted>! Just tabloid b****cks or is Boehly serious about shifting out probably our best midfield player in the last 6-7 years?

A very scratchy win against a Villa side full of pace and invention. We were appalling in that first half so it's a good job that we had Kepa at the top of his form. His saves, especially the Ings header were outstanding. Graham P knew the problem and made two substitutions at half time, which steadied the ship. Gallagher came on and put some energy and pace in midfield.

Kepa is looking the business now. A good save to deny Moutinho from their free kick. Mendy will have to make do waiting his turn, as Kepa had to, because he's bang in form right now.

Nothing like confidence, not only in yourself but the rest of your teammates, to get the desired result. Since Potter and his staff have arrived, there's been a togetherness within the squad. The starting line up running through brick walls to get the ball and the bench cheering them on. I like the way Graham P has complete trust in his players by making seven changes for this game. They worked hard and should have been more than one up at the break, with a bit more composure. That goal just before half time was vital, as I could picture the armchair judges in the television studios all nodding in unison that Potter had made a mistake with too many changes. Absolutely delighted to see Pulisic and Broja get their goals as they have been struggling to find the net of late.

I agree about Jorginho Keith and, I must admit, Kovacic was caught too many times dallying on the ball, which is unlike him. Is he 100% fit, I kept asking myself during the game? We're missing Kante big time, who is someone who does know how to release the ball quickly. Aubameyang scored but is he someone who thinks his body is a temple or what? He certainly looks after himself. Chilwell crapped himself when Ayew closed him down. Why? Because he isn't fast enough to recover if he made a mistake and would be left in Ayew's wake. So back it went. He was the main reason why we created nothing in midfield, so it was left to Thiago to pick out someone with his long, raking passes. Incidentally, the sheep were all screaming for a red card when Thiago handled the ball half a mile from the goal. Wasn't it a foul first as he was bundled over?

Agree Keith. James had their full back in his pocket in the first half but, for some reason only he knows, he became negative and lazy, especially after we scored. He had acres of space to run into but, as you pointed out, dwelt on the ball and passed back. In fact, he failed to close down the bloke that crossed the ball which set up their first chance in the game. Lack of concentration or sheer boredom? Graham needs to sort him out mentally. There were others that took too many touches instead of getting rid of the ball first time. Overall, some positives for Potter to ponder and confidence issues to sort out.

Knock yourself out. You can boo to your life's content, it won't make a blind bit of difference.

It's called ambition.

Yeah, players and personnel come and go but the club still continues on its relentless pursuit for silverware, which is why you will never get me wringing my hands in anguish over someone leaving. Chelsea the club matters to me, not some well paid individual who's on his or her way out.

I've just read that Tuchel would have gone irrespective of the result in Zagreb. Things must have really unravelled in the last few days or maybe even well before that There is no doubt that the football we have been playing has been desperate since the Spurs game, when we conceded a late equaliser, Anyway, it looks like Graham Potter is the man Todd Boehly wants. I love the quote Potter made, when a reporter asked him if he was ambitious...." Well, I'm never going to be sexy manager with name like Potter and, even more so, with Graham as my first name." He strikes me as a thoroughly approachable, down to earth bloke who players can relate too. Not the explosive, living on the edge type like Thomas. How he will handle the egos in the dressing room will be down to Boehly more than Potter himself. If I was Todd I would be telling them, this is my club, he is my choice and he's here for the long term vision that we have and if you don't like it, tough s@#t.